An Ancient African Knowledge System’s Resurgence in the Age of AI

African knowledge systems (AKS) that process information from large amount of data, using binary computation technology, have existed for centuries. These systems have mostly been misunderstood and neglected by the scientific community or simply dismissed as mysterious. We argue here that these computational knowledge systems should be appreciated as intelligent indigenous technology. The traditional West African knowledge system known as Ifá (an automated decision-making system) is an example. The Ifá knowledge system's application of algorithmic thinking, binary arithmetic, the binary digit (bit) and what later became known as Boolean algebra, for decision making, is a clear demonstration of the sophistication of traditional AKS. To fully appreciate AKS and its importance in modern technology, it is essential to re-evaluate our definition of science, technology, and innovation. An “asymmetry of definitional power” is mostly responsible for ignorance and bias against knowledge systems like Ifá. Knowledge production in Africa has traditionally been informal for many centuries and this gave the wrong impression of Africans as receivers of technology only. Africans have always been makers of technology with a sense of agency. Fun fact: ChatGPT answers in the positive, when asked, about possible connection between the Ifá system and computer technology